New HTPC Build + HDTV

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bloom

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#21652 3-May-2008 11:07

Hey guy,

Looking to build a HTPC for my lounge and make use of Freeview HD.
Currently got a 32" Samsung LCD TV, Panasonic 5.1 system, UHF input

$400 for a Freeview HD box is ridiculous so rather make a PC :)

I know my PC hardware well but am quite bad at TV related products.

Heres my idea so far:
- Asus P5K-VM
- E2160 (OC to 3.0ghz)
- Corsair 2x1gb CL5 800mhz
- Samsung Spinpoint F1 750gb
- Leadtek 7600GS HDMI, 256mb
- Pioneer DVD-WR
- Enermax Liberty 400watt (modular)
- Silverstone SST-LC17
- HVR2200

What I really want is to get the HD and audio into the HDMI (less clutter)

Questions:
- Will the GPU be sufficient to put out 720/1080p with 256mb
- Can I connect HVR2200 audio to GPU's HDMI
- Do I need codec software such as Cyberlink to encode H.264
- Which OS should I use
- Is anything an overkill :p

Cheers for any help/suggestions!

Heres my gaming PC I built, now keen for a HTPC build
http://www.gpforums.co.nz/thread/309282/?s=

mentalinc

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#128142 3-May-2008 11:53

bloom:
Questions:
- Will the GPU be sufficient to put out 720/1080p with 256mb
- Can I connect HVR2200 audio to GPU's HDMI
- Do I need codec software such as Cyberlink to encode H.264
- Which OS should I use
- Is anything an overkill :p

No you need atleast 8000 series see here: http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?ForumId=83&TopicId=20310
Not sure (need to find a GPU that does HDMI out including sound)
Yes you need cyberlink powerdvd Ultra v7 or powerdvd 8 Deluxe (get version * as it does sound as well)
Vista seems the best bet (dont need a version with MCE as it doesn't work) look at GB-PVR or mediaportal
Overkill (not possible only 1000W+ PSU is overkill)

CPU: AMD 5900x | RAM: GSKILL Trident Z Neo RGB F4-3600C16D-32GTZNC-32-GB | MB: Asus X570-E | GFX: EVGA FTW3 Ultra RTX 3080Ti| Monitor: LG 27GL850-B 2560x1440

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bloom

38 posts

Geek

#128157 3-May-2008 12:54

Thanks

Ok looking to replace GPU with:
Leadtek 8500GT HDMI, 256mb

Bit worried 256mb won't be sufficient for displaying 720/1080 on 32" LCD
Been told nVidia require SPDIF for audio through HDMI

Yea will look into GB-PVR and MediaPortal

eXDee

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#128163 3-May-2008 13:18

The 8500 is reported to work fine.

Mediaportal is an awesome peice of software btw.

Huge advantage in the fact that when you use 'TV Server' (required) you can watch TV on any other networked PC in the house.

Nety

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#128359 4-May-2008 10:43

Just keep in mind that you dont need a HDMI out video card. All you need is DVI as that just needs a DVI to HDMI cable so dont limit yourself to a video card that has a HDMI output.

I did find that when I got my 8500GT that the AV feeds for sound when HDMI is selected stopped working. This was because the 8500GT supports spdif passthrough. Was a bit of a panic to get sound working but now I just have the one cable going to the TV which is nice.

Media centre PC - Case Silverstone LC16M with 2 X 80mm AcoustiFan DustPROOF, MOBO Gigabyte MA785GT-UD3H, CPU AMD X2 240 under volted, RAM 4 Gig DDR3 1033, HDD 120Gig System/512Gig data, Tuners 2 X Hauppauge HVR-3000, 1 X HVR-2200, Video Palit GT 220, Sound Realtek 886A HD (onboard), Optical LiteOn DH-401S Blue-ray using TotalMedia Theatre Power Corsair VX Series, 450W ATX PSU OS Windows 7 x64

bloom

38 posts

Geek

#128360 4-May-2008 10:50

Yea its just that DVI can't pass through an audio signal regardless if its got an adapter to HDMI. So with this motherboard and GPU I can use SPDIF to the GPU so picture + audio are going through HDMI. Often whenever I connect my laptop to TV with S-video or HDMI and seperate RCA audio the sound gets out of sync. Really annoying so figure if they're in the same cable I can be sure it won't happen!

bloom

38 posts

Geek

#128370 4-May-2008 12:13

One more thing:

Should I be getting the HVR 2200
or the Nova T 500 HD

I don't have a remote yet so could be handy.

Most likely will be using XP Pro 32bit with MediaPortal

HP

Shop now for HP laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

eXDee

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#128407 4-May-2008 15:00

I think the only difference is that the Nova T is PCI and the 2200 is PCI-E.
Its too bad the 2200 doesnt come with a remote.

bloom

38 posts

Geek

#128410 4-May-2008 15:14

Nova T has 2x DVB-T tuners
HVR2200 has 1x DVB-T tuner and 1x analog

So the advantage with the nova is that you can record and watch at the same time (different channels)

Just want to know if I can use a HVR2200 and HVR3000 to get DVB-T and analog at the same time?

Lots of good shows on prime so want to keep that and have DVB-T. Won't do any recording

Nety

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#128411 4-May-2008 15:19

bloom: Yea its just that DVI can't pass through an audio signal regardless if its got an adapter to HDMI. So with this motherboard and GPU I can use SPDIF to the GPU so picture + audio are going through HDMI. Often whenever I connect my laptop to TV with S-video or HDMI and seperate RCA audio the sound gets out of sync. Really annoying so figure if they're in the same cable I can be sure it won't happen!

Not correct.. as I said in my post.. I am doing exactly that. DVI to HDMI including digital sound (spdif)

edit: The only problem is finding out if the GPU has this. Mine did not advertise it and just mentioned it on the box. In fact when I asked XFX they said it did not and that the jumper was reserved.. always helpfull.

bloom

38 posts

Geek

#128415 4-May-2008 15:29

Hmm thats weird, but hell if it works awesome :)

Got everything sorted out to order now except tuner card.
Need:
DVB-T & Analogue prime
Remote
Won't record anything
Unsure which cards let you use both DVB-T and analogue at the same time ;o

Appreciate the help so far!

mentalinc

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#128419 4-May-2008 15:46

bloom: Unsure which cards let you use both DVB-T and analogue at the same time ;o

none of the hybrid cards will do this. its one tuner or the other not both.

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bloom

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#128433 4-May-2008 17:37

Cheers for the input, ordered the following:

- Asus P5K-VM
- E2180
- Corsair 2x1gb CL5 800mhz
- Western Digital 750gb
- Leadtek 8500GT HDMI, 256mb
- Asus DVD-WR
- CNET Wireless
- Antec NSK2480 HTPC 380W
- Hauppauge Nova T 500 HD

Will build it next weekend :)

DS248

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#128504 5-May-2008 01:15

bloom: Yea its just that DVI can't pass through an audio signal regardless if its got an adapter to HDMI.

As noted by others it apparently does.

See http://www.asus.com/products.aspx?l1=2&l2=6&l3=651&l4=0&model=2103&modelmenu=1

ie, Asus use a DVI-HDMI adaptor to provide HDMI on some cards.